Manchester United confirm new Tom Heaton contract after 'coaches push' for summer U-turn | OneFootball

Veteran goalkeeper sticking around at Old Trafford after penning a one-year extension

“I am ready to support the team in every capacity as we prepare to get back to challenging for the biggest honours.”

The move would appear to represent something of a U-turn in terms of Heaton’s future, with reports circulating as recently as April that he would leave United this summer following the expiration of his existing deal as some questioned if he could opt to retire.

However, he has no intention to hang up the gloves just yet and will stay put for the 2025/26 season under Ruben Amorim after signing on for another 12 months for the second summer in a row.

Fabrizio Romano reported last month that United’s coaching staff had pushed for Heaton to be handed another deal, having been delighted with his impact and ability to help younger players.

“Tom’s leadership and experience are really important for the group so we’re pleased that he will be part of the squad again next season,” said United’s director of football Jason Wilcox.

“Tom’s mentality and excellent preparation to ensure that he is always ready to perform when called upon makes him the perfect complement to our goalkeeping group.”

Heaton rejoined United in 2021 on an initial two-year contract with the option of a further year after being released following a two-year spell at Aston Villa.

He previously made 200 appearances across all competitions over six years at Burnley, having also represented Bristol City and Cardiff after ending his first spell at United by leaving on a free transfer in summer 2011.

Heaton originally moved to Old Trafford from Wrexham as a teenager but did not establish himself as a regular first-team option under Sir Alex Ferguson and was sent for multiple loan spells with Swindon, Royal Antwerp, Cardiff, QPR, Rochdale and Wycombe.

He played for England at youth level from Under-16 to U21 and would go on to earn three senior caps between 2016-17 and was included in the squad for Euro 2016 under Roy Hodgson, making a surprise return to the Three Lions fold aged 38 last summer as he was called up by Gareth Southgate to serve as a training goalkeeper for Euro 2024.

Heaton has made only three senior appearances in total across his two stints at United, none in the Premier League. His only outing in 2024/25 as the experienced third-choice ‘keeper behind No1 Andre Onana and deputy Altay Bayindir was for the U21s in an EFL Trophy game against Barnsley in August.

However, he was often on the bench in the Europa League and filled in as the chief back-up behind Onana later in the season with Bayindir injured, while he also played on the club’s recent post-season tour of Asia.

While Heaton has now signed a new deal, Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans will all leave United when their own contracts expire next week, along with academy players Hubert Graczyk, Jack Kingdon, Sam Murray, Tom Myles, James Nolan and Tom Wooster.